Collapsible dispensing tube



' IN V EN TOR. jiofi `/l/'gaiw R NYDEN COLLAPSIBLE DISPENSING TUBE Flled May 20, 1942 Oct. 31, 1944.

retenue er. 31, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE' COLLAPSIBLE DISPENSING TUBE Robert Nyden, Manhasset, N. Y.

Application Mam 20, 1942, Serial No. 443,677

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a dispenser of the tube type used largely in the dispensing of such products as toothpaste, shaving cream, salves, and other similar substances, which may generally be referred to as cream-type products.

Due to present conditions creating a scarcity of certain materials, a great need has arisen for a dispenser capable of dispensing such products and to take the place of the well-known metal tube dispensers of the deformable type which have been so extensively used.

A major object of my'invention comprises the combination of a flexible container together with an internal piston movable upon a flexing of the container and adapted to force the contents t0 wards the opening.

it is a further object of my invention to provide such an internal piston capable of wiping clean the interior surfaces of the flexible container in which it rides, thereby preventing any waste of material being dispensed.

In carrying out my invention, a major object has been the utilization of materials other than metal and the provision of a structure which is simple and durable and composed of relatively few parts, each of a design adapted for quantity production.

The achievement of these and numerous other objects will be readily apparent by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a container embody-A ing my invention with the cover or cap portion broken away;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section of the container of Fig. l'taken along the line 2 2 Aand looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section similar to that shown in Fig. 2 but wherein the cap is removed and wherein the manner of operation of the container, is also illustrated;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the containerv shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross section of a portion of a container showing an alternative form of my inveni tion;

Fig. 6 is a cross section of a portion'of a container and showing a further modiiled form of my invention; and

Fig. 7 is a further cross section of a portion of a container showing still another modified form of my invention.

Referring now to the drawing, it is observed that I have provided a container body I0 preferably tubular in shape and fabricated from a flexible material of a type adapted to the speciic contents which it is desired to dispense in the container. I have found, in certain respects, that it is desirable for the container body to be made of a transparent material and, in this aspect as well as the flexible quality, material such as cellulose acetate or other exible transparent materials have proven desirable. Treated paper or cardboard may also be used, although care, of course, must 'be exercisedso that the type selected is suitablefor use with the products to be dispensed.

This container is preferably formed with a dis pensing opening Il at its top, formed by surrounding flanges I2 which extend above the top wall I3 of the container. While in certain forms of containers the flanges I2 might be threaded and a screw cap applied directly thereto, I prefer to provide a structure of -a type wherein the cap or closure covers the entire top area. o! the container. Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that this structure is provided by having pressed threads Il in the body of the container and near the top thereof, which threads cooperate with the threads I5 formed in the cap I6, which cap may be formed by pressing or drawing from paper, cardboard, plastic or other adaptable material. The ilexibility of the top of the cap in conjunction with the portion of anges I2 which extend above the top wall serves to provide a tight seal. If desired, cap I6 may be provided with raised ange IBA which provides a recess adapted to receive a suitable gasket or washer I 6B formed of cork, plastic, etc., and adapted to seal against flange I2.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, the mechanism for dispensing the material contained in the tube and which may generally be referred to as the piston or pusher means, comprises thlee simple parts as shown in the Figs. 2 and 3. A hollow or solid plug I'I, preferably formed of a substance. such as wood, paper or plastic, is provided and is adapted to conform 'to the shape of the container body. The circumference of this plug is less than the inside diameter of the body, thereby providing a space I8 between it and the container walls.

Adapted to be placed over this plug and to ride therewith is a plunger cup I9 formed of a material suitable for use with the products to be dispensed. This cup has an overall size so that it tits snugly within the container body with its downwardly depending flanges 20 forming, in effect, a gasket and extending between the plug I'I and the side walls of the container. The

the piston into the container and is'therefore,

to be preferred; however. if. desired, different shaped gaskets or washers may beused.

To the under side of the plug Il is secured a motivating' flexible disc'2l shaped to conform to the container and which preferably in normal position assumes. a concave shape with the convex side of the disc iacing'inv the direction of movement of the piston. This disc is formed of a nexible material such as cellulose acetate, spring` metal. treated paper or some otheresimilar material, and is preferably of a diameter slightly less than the inside diameterof the tube thereby providing a clearance between its edge and the side walls of the container. In other words. the material of the disc is su'ch that the latter may be flexed transversely of its body.

` the dispenser.

However, the disc material has suilicient rigidity that thrusts in the plane of its body will be transmitted without that bodys tending to collapse. i

In the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the disc is attached to the plug by means of knob 22 integral with the plug and over which the central opening 23 of disc 2| is placed. f To provide an easy press ilt, the opening edge may have radial slots 22B extending from its periphery. While this form oi!V attachment is desirable, other means of attaching the motivating disc to the plug, such as adhesive, screws, etc., maybeused.

'It is readily apparent that the tube and compressing structure may be easily assembled and then inserted through the open end 24 of the` container III. This open end 2l is of a width or size equivalent to that of the interior` of the tube and. accordingly, in filling the container. the contents may be readily inserted through said opening. Aftervthe contents are placed in the container, the pusher mechanism is inserted in that opening and worked up a sufilcient distance to allow the edge of the concave motivating disc 2| to be within the side walls of the container Il. Thereafter, the open end 2l of the tube may be left open or, if desired. may be covered in any suitable manner by a plug, capor other means which preferably has an air vent so that no vacuum is formed as the piston is moved upward into the container.

The use of this container requires only a slight compression in the vicinity of, or below the motivating concave disc. lustrated in Fig. 3 wherein the hand of the user is shown as it compresses or collapses the ilexible tube or 'body adjacent-the disc 2|. Due to the normal flexibility as well as concavity oi' the motivating disc, this disc assumes. when pressure is applied to its edges, a more concave shape with the center portion being forced upward towards the container opening Il. This. of course. in turn serves to move the block l1 and the 2,361,647 A v I remain in approximately the position towhich they were advanced while the edges of the motivating disc go upward along or adjacent the side walls of the container I0 to a new position. In this advanced position, the parts are again in normal shape and the pressing operation bythe hand of'the user may be repeated if it is desired to elect further material from Of course, it is noted that the forces tendingto hold the plug and plunger cup in their advanced position are such that upon a release of pressure applied to the concave motivating disc, the plunger and cup remain in approximately their advanced position while the edges of the concave motivating disc, in efiect, climb upwardly along or adjacent the walls of the container to a new position.

Due to the space clearance IS provided between container lli and plug il, the flexibility of the container wall is maintained, thus allowing ready application of compressive force theretovfor action upon the motivating dlSc 2i. In addition, the clearance avoids any binding ef- 25 -fect between the compressed side walls and the lug.

The initial concavity of disc 2| prevents the disc from exing in the wrongdirection, that is, away from the opening, and causes it to move in the same direction upon each application of pressure. j

Fig. 5 shows an alternate form of piston for use in the dispenser. In this fragmentary view,

2l represents the side walls of a flexible container similar to that previously described. A hollow cup-shaped member 28 preferably formed of a flexible material. such as cellulose acetate.

' paper, etc., is provided, of such a size that it fits within the inside of the container body and has a clearance relative to the side walls thereof.

This cup '26 is provided with a depressed annular ring' 21 into which a packing member or gasket 2l is placed. This gasket is, of course,

, of la materialsuitable for the type of product The operation is best ilto be dispensed and is adapted to ride in inti` mate contact with the side walls 25. The bottom of the cup-shaped member is formed with upwardly and outwardly inclined surfaces 29.

The shape of these surfaces is such that. upon a collapsing of the tube adjacent them by means of the fingers of the user, the cup member is y caused' to ride upwardly along the interiorof the collapsed surface, thus forcing the contents of the container toward the opening.

Fia. 6 shows an alternative form of the invention in which vthe pistonv 30 comprises a solid plug preferably formed of wood, pressed sawdust, plastic or other similar material and adapted to fit snugly within the flexible container 3 l. The plug is formed at its lower end with bevelled surface 32 having an inclination of suillcient degree so that applied manual pressure to collapse. the

plunger cup Il upward, thus forcing the material contained in the dispenser through the dispenser opening.

Upon release of pressure, the combination of the flexible side walls and the i'lexible disc en.

tube adjacent the inclination will force the plug 30 upwardly, thus acting to push the ingredients of the container through the top opening of the In the modification shown in Fig. r'1, the piston 33 comprises a spherical plug whose diameter is such that a 'snug llt with the inside of the container 3l is provided. Due to the normal shape of the sphere, applied pressure to the container Il on either the upper or lower side of the sphere will motivate the sphere one way or the other; rthat is. applied pressure at the bottom will push the sphere upward, while applied pressure at the top will push the sphere downward. By its motion, the contents ot the container will be ejected.

In each of the modifications, the manner in which the tube is illled parallels the manner shown in the structure of the Figs. 1, 2, and 3 with the material to be dispensed being inserted in the bottom or wide opening of the container and then the piston pushed into position within the container.

To those skilled in the art, it will be apparent that certain changes may be made in the structure without in any manner departing from the spirit of my invention as described in the. specification and the appended claims and, accordingly, it is my intention to cover any of these variations permissible within the spirit oi' my invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A container comprising a flexible body for containing and dispensing cream substances, a piston adapted for insertion in said container and to slidably contact the side walls thereof, a conical, resilient and flexible motivating disc associated with said piston and having its outer edges lying adjacent the side walls oi said container whereby, upon compression of said side walls, the inner faces of the latter will engage the outer edge of the disc and move such outer edgts towards each other, thereby moving said plS n.

2. In combination, a collapsibletube presenting a dispensing opening adjacent one of its ends, its body being adapted to receive material to be expelled through auch opening, a piston movable within said tube and to be positioned between such material and the other tube end, and a piston-feeding means comprising an element connected to said piston and upon the side of the same opposite to the material, said element extending at an angle to the tube axis to a point adjacent the inner face of the tube wall, whereby, as said' wall is collapsed inwardly by exteriorly applied pressure, the end of said element will be positively engaged by the inner tube face toinitially prevent piston movement in a direction away from the dispensing opening, further collapsing pressure upon the tube subsbquently causing portions of said element to swung towards the of the tube to thereby A move the piston towards the dispensing opening. l

3. In combination, a collapsible tube presenting a dispensing opening adjacent one oi' its ends, its body being adapted to receive material to be expelled through such opening, a piston movable within said tube and to be positioned between such material and the other tube end, and a piston-feeding means comprising a disc having portions adapted to be iiexed towards each other, said disc being secured to said piston upon the side of the same opposite to the material, said disc extending at an angle to the tube axis to a point adjacent the inner face of the tube wall and being formed of a material such that it is substantially inflexible responsive to thrusts in directions parallel to its body portions, whereby, as said tube wall is collapsed inwardly by exteriorly applied pressure, the edge of said disc will be positively engaged by the inner tube face and thus prevent piston movement in a direction away from the dispensing opening; further collapsing pressure upon the tube causing said disc to ilex and exert a thrust against said piston to shift the latter within said tube and in a direction towards the dispensing opening.

4. In combination, a collapsible tube presenting a dispensing opening adjacent one oi its ends, its body being adapted to receive material to be expelled through such opening, a piston movable within said tube and to be positioned be tween such material and the other tube end, and a piston-feeding means comprising a exible, conical member, means for securing the apex of said member to that side of the piston opposite to that on-which said material is located 'and with the body of said member ilaring rearwardly within the tube to points adjacent the inner face oi the latter, whereby, as said tube wall is collapsed inwardly by exteriorly applied pressure, the edges of said member will be positively engaged by the inner tube face to prevent piston movement in a direction away from the dispensing opening; further collapsing pressure upon the tube subsequently causing portions of the body of said member to be flexed towards the tube axis wl: :reby said piston will be projected towards said dispensing opening.

RUBERT NYDEN. 

